The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1887-10-26
a Plea For the Unfortunate.

Editor Mirror
An attorney at law you may be- and it becomes
you to take care of the cases in your charge.
While the law should be enforced for the good of
criminals as well as for the protection of society,
it does not become you to be unknd Perhaps
invest CATION may prove that your prisoner is in
nOcent and has been wrongfully arrested. But if
guilty, OF most he is simply unfortunate man.
He had no power to say what qualities of mind he
should inherit, what his temptations should be. or
what training he should receive in infancy, all of
which usually determining causes that fix
mans dest ny in after life. He stands before you
largely the victim of unfortunate circumstances
He lacks the moral strength which others possess,
and hence his weakness and his errors become the
greater. True, he must pay the penalty of his
transgression, but you can temper the administra-
ton of your government with such Justice as will
tend to the Improvement and possibly the refor-
nation of the prisoner. Whatever the conduct Ct
the prisoner, you should always raise superior to
the elngs of revenge. In a thousand ways our
path OF life will be crossed by those that commit
errors. 1t will be easy to find fault, it will be
natural to blame. Many a mother looks with deep
anxiety upon the face of her infant, wondering
what destiny lies before it. Alas that a mothers
hopes and prayers often do not avail. Drifting
away from her personal CONTROL the footsteps fall
amid temptation, and life OF sorrow is the result
We should never forget in treatment of the
erring that were the mother present she would
plead with us to deal gently with her child.
While error must be deplored and virtue ever
commended, we should deal carefully and con-
sderatey with the erring, ever remember that a
myriad of untOward circumstances are constantly
weaving u network around the individual, fetter-
ing and binding soul that otherwise would be
white and pure. 1t is the most fortunate circum-
stance for child to be born of an excellent par.
entage-to be reared with kindness and to be
guided by councils. Given ell these favor
able circumstances and the chances are that
their path in life is honorable. Deprived of these
advantages the individual is likely fall short OF
excellence as the .rcumstances unfavorable.
There are those who seemingly to have a
smooth path i'll life. They have no passions un-
duly in excess, they have no abnormal longing nor
no weaknesses. Roses strew their way and they
live a life well rounded out and full of honor.
But while these are exempt from temptation all are
not so fortunate in ability or strength OF purpose,
and in power of will which may enatle them to
resist evil. Some liable to fall easily and it
will take possibly but trivial circumstance to
carry them aside In the transgression they will
get their punishment-they will suffer sufficiently.
1t does not become the more fortunate the refore,
to take too much credit to themselves for being
more virtuous and free from errors It is vastly
more noble and charitable to extend sympathy
and compassion for one that has fallen into dis
grace, than to be finding fault or trying to sink
them still further into the errors of crime.
Oct. 22 1887 WILLIAM RILEY.